---
title: "License & Plugin Compatibility"
description: "Gen 1, Gen 2 & Gen 3 licenses, the Kirby 4–6 version matrix, and how to manage your license keys."
canonical_url: "https://kirby.tools/license-compatibility"
---

# License & Plugin Compatibility

> Gen 1, Gen 2 & Gen 3 licenses, the Kirby 4–6 version matrix, and how to manage your license keys.

## How Licenses Work

When you purchase a Kirby Tools plugin, you receive a license key that covers specific plugin versions. Your license generation determines which versions you can use:

- **Generation 1** (before December 2024): Kirby 4 plugin versions
- **Generation 2** (from December 2024): adds Kirby 5 support
- **Generation 3** (from August 2026): adds Kirby 6 support once released

<tip>

Each generation includes everything earlier ones covered – a newer license never loses access to older plugin versions, only gains newer ones.

</tip>

Generations align with major Kirby CMS releases. When Kirby ships a new major version, plugins often require significant rewrites – the generation system funds continued development while giving existing customers upgrade discounts.

<card icon="i-ri-key-2-line" target="\_blank" title="Manage Your Licenses" to="https://hub.kirby.tools">

View your licenses, check your generation, and get upgrade discounts.

</card>

## Updates vs Upgrades

### Updates (Free)

Bug fixes, security patches, and minor improvements within your licensed versions. These are always free and automatic via Composer.

### Upgrades (Paid/Discounted)

Moving to a new major plugin version that adds significant features or Kirby compatibility. Upgrades typically coincide with new Kirby releases.

**Why the distinction?** Major Kirby releases often require significant plugin rewrites. The upgrade model lets us continue development while offering existing customers generous discounts.

## Current Status

Every commercial Kirby Tools plugin has a version for Kirby 4 and one for Kirby 5:

<table>
<thead>
  <tr>
    <th>
      Plugin
    </th>
    
    <th>
      Kirby 4 Version
    </th>
    
    <th>
      Kirby 5 Version
    </th>
  </tr>
</thead>

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <td>
      Kirby Copilot
    </td>
    
    <td>
      v1
    </td>
    
    <td>
      v2, v3
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Kirby SEO Audit
    </td>
    
    <td>
      v1, v2
    </td>
    
    <td>
      v2, v3
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Kirby Content Translator
    </td>
    
    <td>
      v2
    </td>
    
    <td>
      v3
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Kirby Live Preview
    </td>
    
    <td>
      v1
    </td>
    
    <td>
      v2
    </td>
  </tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<callout color="info" icon="i-ri-information-line">

Gen 2 licenses already include **Copilot v3** and **SEO Audit v3** – no upgrade needed.

</callout>

## Frequently Asked Questions

<accordion>
<accordion-item label="Do I need a new license for Kirby 5?">

Not necessarily. If you have a Generation 2 license (purchased December 2024+), it already covers Kirby 5 versions. Check your license at [hub.kirby.tools](https://hub.kirby.tools).

</accordion-item>

<accordion-item label="Do I need a new license for Kirby 6?">

Kirby 6 support is included with **Generation 3** licenses (purchased from August 2026) once the Kirby 6 compatible plugin versions are released – at no additional cost. Once that happens, Gen 1 and Gen 2 holders will be able to upgrade to Generation 3 at **50% off**. Check your license at [hub.kirby.tools](https://hub.kirby.tools).

</accordion-item>

<accordion-item label="What's the difference between license generation and plugin version?">

**License generation** (Gen 1, Gen 2, Gen 3) determines which plugin versions your license covers. **Plugin version** (v1, v2, v3) is the actual version you install.

</accordion-item>

<accordion-item label="Are v3 plugin versions included with my license?">

If you have a Gen 2 license, yes – Copilot v3, SEO Audit v3, and Content Translator v3 are all included.

</accordion-item>

<accordion-item label="Can I use an older plugin version with a new license?">

Yes. Licenses are backward compatible – you can always use older versions.

</accordion-item>

<accordion-item label="Can I use a newer plugin version with an old license?">

Only if your license generation covers it. Check the [version compatibility matrix](#version-compatibility-matrix) below for exact constraints per plugin. If your version isn't covered, you can upgrade – see the options for your license at [hub.kirby.tools](https://hub.kirby.tools).

</accordion-item>
</accordion>

## Technical Reference

This section covers implementation details for developers.

### License Key Format

License keys follow the format: `KT{generation}-{hash}-{hash}`. The digit after `KT` is your generation number.

- `KT1-xxxxx-xxxxx`: Generation 1 (before December 2024)
- `KT2-xxxxx-xxxxx`: Generation 2 (December 2024 onwards)
- `KT3-xxxxx-xxxxx`: Generation 3 (August 2026 onwards)

### Version Compatibility Matrix

<table>
<thead>
  <tr>
    <th>
      Plugin
    </th>
    
    <th>
      Gen 1 Constraint
    </th>
    
    <th>
      Gen 2 Constraint
    </th>
    
    <th>
      Gen 3 Constraint
    </th>
  </tr>
</thead>

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <td>
      Kirby Content Translator
    </td>
    
    <td>
      <code>
        ^2
      </code>
    </td>
    
    <td>
      <code>
        ^2 || ^3
      </code>
    </td>
    
    <td>
      <code>
        ^2 || ^3
      </code>
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Kirby Copilot
    </td>
    
    <td>
      <code>
        ^1
      </code>
    </td>
    
    <td>
      <code>
        ^1 || ^2 || ^3
      </code>
    </td>
    
    <td>
      <code>
        ^1 || ^2 || ^3
      </code>
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Kirby SEO Audit
    </td>
    
    <td>
      <code>
        ^1
      </code>
    </td>
    
    <td>
      <code>
        ^1 || ^2 || ^3
      </code>
    </td>
    
    <td>
      <code>
        ^1 || ^2 || ^3
      </code>
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Kirby Live Preview
    </td>
    
    <td>
      <code>
        ^1
      </code>
    </td>
    
    <td>
      <code>
        ^1 || ^2
      </code>
    </td>
    
    <td>
      <code>
        ^1 || ^2
      </code>
    </td>
  </tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Gen 3 currently mirrors Gen 2 – until Kirby 6 ships, both cover the same plugin versions. When each plugin's Kirby 6 compatible major is released, its Gen 3 constraint gains that major (e.g. `… || ^4`) while Gen 2 stays capped at the current one.

### Generation Timeline

<table>
<thead>
  <tr>
    <th>
      Generation
    </th>
    
    <th>
      Purchase Date
    </th>
    
    <th>
      Kirby Compatibility
    </th>
  </tr>
</thead>

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <td>
      Gen 1
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Before Dec 1, 2024
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Kirby 4
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Gen 2
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Dec 1, 2024 – Jul 31, 2026
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Kirby 4 & 5
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      Gen 3
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Aug 1, 2026+
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Kirby 4 & 5 (Kirby 6 on release)
    </td>
  </tr>
</tbody>
</table>

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